Texas Instruments introduces ultra-low voltage drop linear regulators

     Texas Instruments introduces the TPS7A02, an ultra-low power low voltage drop linear regulator with an operating static current (IQ) as low as 25 nA, one-tenth of the industry's small devices. The new regulator enables low IQ control at light loads even under pressure drop conditions, allowing engineers to at least double the battery life of applications. In addition, it provides best-in-class transient response for faster wake-up times, shorter application response times and improved dynamic performance.

     The solution helps engineers quickly design smaller, lighter, and more efficient products by reducing the size of power supply solutions, and its generic industry package allows direct pin-to-pin replacement in existing designs. The TPS7A02 helps engineers solve key design challenges in many power-sensitive, high-precision, and low-power applications, such as grid infrastructure, building automation, medical devices, and wearable markets.

     This device joins TI's Low IQ LDO linear voltage regulator product family, enabling designers to extend system life. Pairing the TPS7A02 with other low-IQ devices such as the TI ultra-low-power MSP430™ microcontroller (MCU) family, the SimpleLink™CC2642R MCU, the TLV8802 nanoscale operational amplifier and the TMP1075 low-power temperature sensor, Engineers can further optimize battery life and performance in the system.

     Extended application uptime and system life: The TPS7A02's ultra-low IQ control under light loads allows engineers to at least double the battery life using standard battery chemistry, such as lithium-ion batteries. For example, by using the TPS7A02 in the design of wireless video doorbells and monitors, engineers can achieve a battery life of 24 months or more (up to four times the industry standard). In addition, the TPS7A02 with a lower shutdown IQ of 3 nA can extend battery storage time in portable medical and wearable applications by up to five times compared to comparable devices in the industry.

     Faster wake up speed and better dynamic performance: For load transients from 1 to 50 mA, the TPS7A02 responds in 5 us, half the transient response time of comparable devices in the industry, enabling engineers to design applications with shorter response times and better dynamic performance. The TPS7A02 responds quickly to rapidly changing loads while providing smaller output voltage variations, benefiting high-precision, low-power applications such as wireless Internet of Things (IoT) and portable medical devices that require noise-free currents to accurately capture signals around the device.

     Smaller solution and faster time to market: The TPS7A02 automatically transitions from IQ energy-saving, low-load mode to high-load, fast transient state without any external circuitry or components. As a result, engineers can use the TPS7A02 to reduce solution size by 70%, add more features in space-constrained applications, or reduce system costs with a smaller board.